Driver jailed for causing death

Press, 29 November 1989, Page 31

Driver jailed for causing death

PA Wellington A man whose driving caused the death of a friend has been jailed for 2>/ 2 years and disqualified from driving for five years. Robert John Spiller, aged 24, was driving a sports car on the approach to Mt Victoria Tunnel, Wellington, on February 3 when he (pst control and crossed the centreline. In the District Court at Wellington yesterday, Judge J. W. Dalmer said the driver of an oncoming car had no hope of avoiding the collision. Spiller’s passenger and owner of the car, Mark Markholm, died soon after the accident. The driver of the other car needed 60 stitches in her face and will have two more operations. She was unlikely to

return to work for a year.

Spiller was found guilty by a jury of dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing injury, and driving while disqualified. On each charge he was jailed for 222y 2 years and disqualified from driving for five years. Judge Dalmer said Spiller was driving too fast on the wet road. Spiller had defied a court prohibition to be driving at all. Spiller’s lawyer, Mr Nigel Hewat, said there was a scientific possibility of a tyre blow-out or puncture having something to do with the collision. Spiller was dependent on hard drugs and it was likely he was under the influence at the time. More court news page 34